Massage-machine.



l l Patented-Nov. 26, lsol.A vl F. KING.

MASSAGE' MACHINE. (Application .led Mar. 21, l1901.)

5;. sheets-smet `l,

I. :l z N "5; 'I"

A Y lli o lililllllllllll NVENTOR.

Jg'mafz A nok/VE V.

No. 687,243. Patented'nov; 26,1901. y

F. KING. MASSAGE Mamma.-

(Application lleamg. 21, 1 901.)

3 $heeis-Shea 2.

27 `26' 27 V i .e2 6' 25 (nog. lq

ATTORNEY No. 687,243. Patented Nov. 26, |9701.-

F. KING.

MASSAGE MACHINE.

(Application ledMar. 21, 1901. (No Model.) s sheets-sheet `a.

zfmMWf/M, @Magg/46 INVENTF;

l: IG.2O

THE norms vzvzns um lmcn'uumo.4 wAsmNaroN, D. c.

IINrTnD STA-.TES-

PATENT OFFICE..

FRANCIS KING, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

MASSAGE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 687,243, dated November 26, 1901;

i Application filed March 21,1901. Serial No. 52,252. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern: l

Be it known that I, FRANCIS KING, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain -new and useful Improvements in Massageillachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in massage-machines; and the object of my invention is to provide an apparatus by means of which the movements used in massage treatment may be conveniently obtained from a source of power other than that of the muscular strength of the operator and may be conveniently and effectual] y administered to the patient.

My invention therefore resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts for the above ends hereinafter fully specified, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the end of the shaft, the rotation of which produces the rapid mechanical vibrations. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a modification. Fig. 4 isa cross-section on the line A A of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the hand-plate orv terminal. Fig. 6 is a side View thereof. Fig. 7 is a cross-section thereof. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the `belt used in connection with my apparatus. Fig. 9 is a top view of a modied form of sleeve. Fig. 10 is an end view of the same. Fig. 1l is a perspective view of a modified form of the device. Fig. 12 is an enlarged side View of a portionof the apparatus operated from the end of a flexible shaft. Fig. 13 is a section of the same. Fig. 14 is a side view showing a modification of the connection to the hand-plate or terminal. Fig. 15 is a section of the same. Figs. 16 and 17 are sections showing modifications of the device. Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the apparatus, showing the two belts attached thereto for-torsional vibration. Fig. 19is an enlarged side view of a portion of the apparatus, and Fig. 2G is a front view of a modified form of the device having only one shaft.

Referring to the drawings, upon a suitable bed-plate aremounteda standard a. and mo'- tor Z7, from which latter power is transmitted to a shaft c, rotatably mounted-in the upper end ofthestandard a. The shaft c carries at each end a disk d, in which is formed an undercut diametral groove e. The ends of said groove are closed by fixed blocks f, leaving a space for the adjustment to and fro of a block g, having beveled sides It. Into said block g is screwed the end of a spindle h, upon which is passed a thimble t, having a flange j abutting against the disk d. Over said thimble t' is then passed a sleeve 7c, having downwardly-extending ears 0. By screwing up a nut m on the end of the spindle 7L said spindle is moved outward and the block g is clamped in the'groove e in any desired position. Y t

In the modification shown in Fig. 3 the spindle h is hollow and threaded internally, and through said threaded perforation is screwed a pin fn, the end of which abuts against the bottom surface of the groove e, and so tends to press the spindle outwardly and the block g against the sides of the groove and clamp it in position.

The ears o are bored, as at p, and a bolt q is passed through said apertures and through a screw-eye 1, which rests between the ears o, upon which'screW-eye is screwed a rod s, attached to a helical spring t, to the other-.end

,of which spring is attached a handle u. A

nose v acts as a stop to prevent the swinging of the screw-eye to such an extent that the part carried thereby would strike the disk d on that side. It will be understood from the above that the machine normally carries a helical spring on each side suspended in the manner above described from the shaft c and that to the lower ends of said spring may be attached the various devices for treatment by massage. One of these devices comprises a handle w, carrying at its lower enda hook a1. One method of treatment is for the patient to take hold of two such handles, one

IOD

massage to the body and limbs a belt y is used, which may be passed around thebody or limb of the patient.

In another methodv r v of treatment there is provided a rod e, one end of which is attached to the lower end of the spring and the other end carries a handplate 1, connected to said rod by means of a universal joint 40.

An important feature of my invention is the construction and arrangement of the handplate. Said hand plate is slightly curved and carries two straps 2 3 of suitable size to be passed around the palm of the hand and the middle linger of the hand, respectively. This construction permits of freedom of manipulation of the face, scalp, or body of the patient by the hand of the operator at the same time that rapid mechanical vibrations are being transmitted therethrough, ranging in speed from three hundred to three thousand five hundred vibrations per minute.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 3, 9, and 10 the sleeve khas on each side thereof a lug 4, said lugs entering apertures in the ears 5 of a fork 6. Said fork is of sufficient length to pass around the end of the spindle 71, so that the rod s can now be turned even as far as direct alinement with the spindle. Below the bearings of the shaft c are similar bearings for a shaft 7, driven lfrom the shaft c by sprocket-wheels 8 and a sprocket-chain 9. By this arrangement two belts may be used at the same time and driven at the same speed. The advantage of this is that the disks of the two shafts c 7 may be so arranged that the two belts are moved in opposite directions at the sa me time. Thus if the two belts be passed around the trunk of the patient the movements thereof are so timed that while the upper belt is moving to the right the lower belt is moving to the left, and vice versa. The result of this is that a torsional movement of great therapeutic value is given to the muscles. The apparatus as prepared for this mode of treatment is illustrated in Figs. 1S and 19, in which two belts o are suspended from the handles at the ends ofthe shafts. It willbe seen that the disks d are so arranged on the respective shafts that the ends of the belts on the same side of the standard are moving in opposite directions at the same time, thus affording torsional friction to the part operated upon. Intermediate between Vthe shafts cand 7 is a shaft 10, which may be driven direct from the motor-shaft. To said shaft 10 is attached a llexible shaft 11, and by this means the massage movement may be applied to the head, trunk, or limbs of a patient in positions and under conditions where terminals connected directly to the shafts c and 7 cannot be used. The flexible shaft 11 transmits rotation from the shaft 10 to a shaft 12, connected to a collar 13, rotating on a stud-screw l-t, screwed into an extension 15 of a shell 16, said shell abutting against a box 17, secured to the under side of a plate on a knob or handle 18. Said shell 16 surrounds a shaft 19, having secured thereon a miter-wheel 20, meshing with a miter-wheel 21, secured to the collar 13, and

thus the shaft 19 is driven by the shaft 12 and by the electromotor. To the miter-wheel 20 is attached a disk d, such as that already described, having the same diametral undercut groove e, the fixed blocks f therein, and the adjustable block y, in the latter of which is screwed a sleeve 22. Said sleeve 22 has an annular rib 23, on each side of which is a ring of balls 24C. Surrounding said ring and balls is a shell 25, to which is secured a plate 26. A stud-shaft 27 is screwed into the sleeve 22, and a ring 2S surrounds the head of the studshaft 27 and is interposed between said head and the shell and is supported by the plate 26.

28 is a casing which covers the gears 20 21 and protects the hand therefrom.

In operation the handle 1S is held in one hand, while the other is inserted in a strap 29 and applied to the body of the patient. The electromotor having been started, rotation is imparted to the flexible shaft 11, thereby rotating the disk and imparting an orbital motion to the plate 26.

In the modification shown in Figs. 14 and 15 the block g carries a stud-shaft 30, upon which is mounted a sleeve 31. Around said sleeve is secured a shell 32, having lugs 33, from which swings a forked support or bail 3a for the handpiece. This construction permits free movement of the hand-plate both about the axis of the shell and about an axis at right angles to said shell. The hand-plate may thus be swung through two right angles While rotary motion is being imparted thereto.

In Fig. 16 is a shown a modification in which the handle is elongated and surrounds the shaft which transmits rotation to the disk.

In Fig. 17 is shown a modification in which the appliance is used t-o give percussive treatment, the devices illustrated in Figs. 12 to 16 being adapted to give rotary frictional massage. In this modification theshaft 12 is connected to a bushing 35, rotating in a bearing 36, into which is secured the handle or knob 18. The bushing is secured to the disk d, carrying the adjustable block g, into which is secured the stud-shaft 30. Around said stud shaft is a sleeve 31, and around the sleeve 3l is a shell 32, into which is secured a post 37 for the hand-plate.

In Fig. 11 the tiexible shaft is shown as attached direct to the shaft of the electromotor.

Obviously also the disk for imparting vibra- IOO IIO

a mechanical extension therefrom, and a terminal plate, curved in two directions, flexibly connected with said extension, and provided with means for attachment to the hand of an operator, substantially as described.

3. In an apparatus for treatment by massage, a means for producing rapid vibrations, a mechanical extension therefrom, having an interposed elastic section, and a terminal, curved in two directions, and provided with means for attachment to the hand of t-he operator, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus for treatment by massage, a means for producing rapid vibrations, a mechanical extension therefrom, a terminal, curved in two directions, provided with means for attachment to the hand of an operator, and a universally-jointed attachment between said extension and said terminal, substantially as described.

5. In a massage-machine, thecombination of a rotating shaft, a rod operatively connected with said shaft to be reciprocated endwise thereby, a hand-plate for applying` vibrations to the body of the patient through the hand of the operator, and a universally-jointed attachment between said hand-plate and rod, substantially as described.

6. In an apparatus for treatment by massage, a means for producing rapid vibrations, a mechanical extensiontherefrom, and means for attaching the said extension to the hand of the operator administering the treatment, consisting of a plate, and a flexible strap passing through said plate to form a loop for the hand in front of the plate, substantially as described.

7. In an apparatus for treatment by inassage, a means for producing rapid vibrations, a mechanical extension therefrom, and means for attaching said extension tothe hand of the operatoradministerin g the treatment,con sisting of a plate, and a flexible strap passing through slots in the plate and buckled on the rear side of the plate to form a loop on the front side for the hand, substantially as described.

S. In an apparatus for treatment by massage and means for producing rapid vibrations, a mechanical-extension therefrom, and a terminal plate flexibly connected at its rear with said extension, and provided in front with pliable means for attachmentto the hand of the operator, substantially as described.

9. In an apparatus for treatment by massage, a means for producing rapid vibrations, means for transmitting said vibrations t0 a distant point, and a hand-clamp secured on the distant end of the latter means, said clamp having a broad and substantially rigid surface adapted to rest against the back of the hand, and transmit vibrations thereto, and having a flexible portion adapted to pass in front of the hand and hold it snugly to said surface, whereby the front of the hand may be applied to the body of a patient and the vibrations transmitted thereto through the back of the hand, and sufficiently rigid to impart vibration thereto and having a portion adapted to pass in front of the hand, sufficiently iiexible to permit movement of the hand against the body of the patient, substantially as described.

11. In a massage-machine, the combination of a shaft, means for rapidly rotating the same, a disk carried by said shaft having a diametral groove, a block movable in said groove, means for clamping the block in any desired position therein, a spindle carried by said block, a sleeve on said spindle, and a transmitting device carried by said sleeve and pivoted'thereto on a pivotal axis at right angles to said spindle, whereby said transmitting device may be swung to or from the disk, substantially as described.

l2. In a massage-machine, the combination of a shaft, means for imparting rapid rotation thereto, a disk on said shaft having a` diametral groove, a bloei.: movable in said groove, means for clamping the block in any desired position, a spindle extending from said block parallel to said shaft, a sleeve on said spindle, and a forked transmitting device for transmitting the rapid vibrations of said block to the patient, said transmitting device being pivotally connected with said sleeve on an axis passing diametrally through said sleeve at right angles to the spindle, substantially as described.

13. In a massage-machine, the combination of a rotating shaft, a spindle revolved eccentrically by said shaft, a sleeve on the spindle, and a transmitting device carried by said sleeve and pivoted thereto on an axis at right angles to said spindle, substantially as described.

14. In a massage-machine, the combination of a rotating shaft, a device eccentrically connected therewith to be reciprocated by the rotation thereof, and a transmitting device carried by said first device and pivoted there'- to on an axisat right angles to the direction of reciprocation, and also at right angles to said rotating shaft whereby when said transmitting device is moved on said pivotal axis, the amplitude of reciprocation so transmitted is varied as desired, substantially as described.

15. In a massage-machine, the combination of a rotating shaft, a disk thereon having an undercut diametral groove, a block movable in said groove, a Vspindle screwed into said block out of line with said shaft, a sleeve on the spindle, a transmitting device carried by the sleeve, and a clamping device having a IOO screw-threaded engagement with the spindle,

to press said block outwardly against the undercut sides of the groove to clamp the block, substantially as described.

1G. In a massage-machine, the combination of a rotating shaft, a disk thereon having an undercut diametral groove, a block movable in said groove, a hollow spindle screwed into said block out of line with said shaft, a transmitting device carried by said spindle for 'transmitting the reciprocations therefrom fr esame eccentric attachments being so arranged that the two sets of massage apparatus are by the rotation of the disks vibrated in opposite directions at the same time, substantially as described.

18. A massage-machine having a standard with two horizontal shafts mounted thereon ont of line with each other, geared to rotate in unison, a set of massage apparatus for each shaft, and eccentric connections between each set and the ends of the corresponding shaft, so arranged that the two sets of massage apparatus are, by the rotation of the shafts, vibrated in opposite directions at the same time, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing wit ncsses.

VFRANCHE KING.

\Vitnesses:

FRANCIS M. WRIGHT, K. LocKwoon NEviNs. 

